EIU 2017 Football Schedule Released

CHARLESTON, Ill – Eastern Illinois football will play five home football games and renew a long time rivalry as the Panthers released their 2017 football schedule.  The Panthers posted a 6-5 record last season which included a win over FBS member Miami (Ohio) and are two years removed from making their 16th FCS playoff appearance under fourth year head coach Kim Dameron.
 
The season will kick off with a pair of road games at Indiana State and Northern Illinois.  The Panthers and Sycamores will renew their longtime rivalry in Terre Haute on Thursday, Aug. 31 in the first meeting between the two schools since the 2009 season.   This will be the 83rd meeting between the two schools.  EIU will then travel north to face Northern Illinois on Sept. 9.  The two schools last met in an explosive 43-39 NIU win during the 2013 season which showcased EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo against NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch.
 
EIU will then play back-to-back home games at O’Brien Field welcoming Illinois State on Sept. 16 for the Mid-America Classic.   EIU won last year’s rivalry game 24-21 in Normal.  The weekend will also serve as Family Weekend on campus.  The Panthers then open Ohio Valley Conference play at home on Sept. 23 hosting Southeast Missouri under the lights.  The 6 p.m. start will feature Fireworks.
 
EIU’s remaining three home games take place on Oct. 7 against Tennessee Tech, Oct. 21 against Jacksonville State and Nov. 4 against Eastern Kentucky.  The Oct. 7 game will be the Panthers annual Hall of Fame contest.  The annual homecoming game is set for Oct. 21.
 
The Panthers four OVC road contests will be Sept. 30 at Tennessee State, Oct. 14 at Murray State, Oct. 28 at UT Martin and Nov. 18 at Austin Peay.  The FCS playoffs first round takes place on Nov. 25.
 
Season ticket renewals and sales will take place in May.
 
EIU opens spring practice in preparation for the 2017 season on Tuesday, March 21.  The annual Blue-White Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 22 at 12 p.m. at O’Brien Field.
 
2017 EIU Football Schedule

Aug. 31 – at Indiana State

Sept. 9 – at Northern Illinois

Sept. 16 – Illinois State (Family Weekend)

Sept. 23 - * Southeast Missouri

Sept. 30 - * at Tennessee State

Oct. 7 - * Tennessee Tech (Hall of Fame)

Oct. 14 - * at Murray State

Oct. 21 - * Jacksonville State (Homecoming)

Oct. 28 - * at UT Martin

Nov. 4 - * Eastern Kentucky

Nov. 18 - * at Austin Peay

Nov. 25 – FCS Playoffs